Customer Reviews

Moanin' for Molasses

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw Sean live in a small venue and bought this CD at that time. The first thing I noticed was his classic 59 Les Paul Gold Top. Then his little Fender amp dating back to the sixties and in between he had NO peddle effects. I thought, this can't be good! The promoter assured me it would be. As a guitar player interested in the blues, I figured I stick around, even though I was not in a good mood. Sean's haircut and sideburns dated back to the fifties, and so did his attire. So I prepared myself to be transported back in time, to an era close to the roots of blues. And from the first note, I could feel a certain authenticity. But mainly I could see I was in for a show, as his facial expressions sold every note he played. It was just plain FUN watching him play. I watched the crowd gradually warm up to what was happening. People started to gyrate. Women began to abandon themselves to the rythm and the beat. People were having loads of fun and the place was starting to heat up. People crowded toward the front to catch a better view. And they stomped and whistled for an encore. I couldn't believe I only paid $8 bucks for this. I couldn't see how anybody was making any money, but I could see that everyone was intoxicated with the vibe and totally lovin it. I don't think the promoter cared if he made a dime. He sat in on "horn" (harmonica) and was beside himself with glee. I chatted with Mr. Costello afterwards, and he is indeed a humble representative of the genre. He convinced me that this is exactly what he loves to do. I told him how much fun watching his expressions when he plays. He calls it "delivery". Just then, the promoter came out and asked me if I wanted my money back. I just laughed, "absolutely not". I came in a down mood, left in a great mood, got some amazing guitar lessons, learned about "delivery", and saw some women doing some crazy ass groovy moving as the band hit timeless chords deep in the human psyche. I also had to congratulate the bass player for really holding it down and keeping it in the pocket.

I saw Sean Costello play at the Bayfront Blues festival in Duluth MN this past August. He played a gig the night before his festival set at a bar right next to my hotel - we stopped in for a bite to eat, and stayed for the show. Good plan. Sean OWNED the bar for the four hours we saw him. He's an amazing player, roaming all over the map, from rockabilly to blues to swing, and he's got the band to back it all up. If you want to check out a fine young talent, this is the disc to get. And catch him live if you can.

This CD was a very pleasant surprise. Honestly, it makes me think of John Mayall's Blues Breakers featuring Eric Clapton. It's got a similar sort of hungry young blues band sound. Costello sings well without imitating an old black guy (can't stand it when they do that), plays with a rare balance of flash and taste, and presents good tunes, several of which are originals. Blues is a varied and rich tradition that's about much more than three-chord progressions for guitar solos; Costello seems to understand this.

I've been listening to this CD--as well as "Call the Cops" and "Cuttin' In"--for a couple of years now and thus feel that I've put enough time into Sean Costello to sort out my thoughts about him. I continue to be very fond of all of his CDs. His voice is surprisingly good: he doesn't try to overdo the gruffness, and his phrasing is intelligent. I like vocalists who sound like they have a brain--and Costello comes across as a thoughtful, sometimes playful singer. His guitar playing is surprisingly mature. His technique is outstanding (as witnessed by the title cut), but he doesn't feel it necessary to ladle notes all over the place. The comparison to Otis Rush is apt enough, but I think that he has developed his own style: plenty of familiar-sounding licks, but he doesn't sound like a mere melange of other guitarists. His leads make sense musically, and his tone is outstanding. He has a somewhat dirty tone, but it's not too overdriven: the treble in the tone is usually still there. The arrangements are also good: the songs kick along very nicely. I feel comfortable recommending him to people who like Chicago-style blues and '60s soul.

Note that I'd be tempted to give this a "5," but I want to reserve that rating for, say, Luther Allison--or maybe for Sean Costello's releases when he hits his mid-30s. I'm hopeful that he has a long career.

Wow, what a great CD. I loved Call the Cops and most of Cuttin In, but this is his most cohesive album yet. The guitar style on this disc is vastly diferent from "Cops", which was more in the Jr. Watson vein. His approach is much more traditional and I hear alot more of an Otis Rush inlfuence (in his singing and playing) than before. Sean still throws in some jazzier runs, but this much more rooted in Chicago style blues. There are the few "soul style" cuts, but the blues purist wont be put off by them at all. However, if you already know who Sean is, what in the world are you waiting for? Buy the darn thing.

This is the follow-up to last year's "Cuttin' in", and 3rd CD since the brilliant debut "Call the cops". Sean Costello is a first rate guitarist and a more than average vocalist, and boy does he deliver on this CD! The sound has expanded in the addition of organ and horns on most of the songs, and the styles encompasses straight blues as well as soul numbers. What is so pleasing with this album is the consistence and obvious joy of the playing; the grit mixed with nuances and style. The style is eclectic but Costello and band ties it all together nicely, makes it a truly coherent and fabulous listening. Costello's guitar is not flashy, only defined and true to the genre itself. The guitar slinging from "Call the cops" has been toned down, at least temporarily, but the playing is nothing short of brilliant. I would have given the rating of 41/2 if possible, the CD would have received 5 for more original songs. If anyone does not know who Costello and band is today, pick this one up and listen to the future of the blues - there is hope and glory in blues of today. Sean: come over to England soon, mate!

Sean Costello's Moanin for the Molasses" moves him up the Blues charts as he mixes a little more soul with his blues guitar licks and mature blues singing in his second album for Landslide Records. He expands his catalog by adding several original tunes on this CD. His band is in topnotch form especially harp maestro Paul Linden. What's even better hear is that the songs sound great on the radio!!!!! Highly recommended! Go see Sean as he is touring over most of the eastern half of the US this summer.

Gosh I loved Sean!!! This cd is great you got soul--you got grit--you got piano and harp to round it all out!
Its a masterpiece--if you dont buy this cd you will be missing out on a lot..you'll have a hole in your heart!
The 2nd song, "Killing My Heart" is my favorite I think. Very soulful blues song with a mezmerizing rythym. And its a long song---finally someone had the nerve to do that. His voice is gritty but toneful at the same time.
"One Kiss" is another tune I love. Its sounds like you're dancing a Sat nite in the old juke joints in Clarksdale, with the harp accompanying the rythym..sounds like it was recorded on a dirt floor. Sean works his voice too on "No Lie"..the catchy beat makes you wanna get up and groove, and of course his guitar, which sounds a little "dirty" is just fine with me..he works it to no end. "The Plumber" is the harp-blast that REALLY makes me feel like Im in a cotton plantation at the edge in a juke joint in the old south. Wow explosion!!!
"I want you so bad" is a 50's sounding sock hop tune that is just right for a winddown after "The Plumber" blast!!
Sean's voice sounds so vunerable on that song. "It takes Time" is a great Chicago sounding blues number--love the beat--and piano. Sean doesnt overplay and his guitarwork is just perfect! YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS CD!!

I had the priviledge of seeing Sean perform at the blues festival here in Memphis before he died. No long winded review here just want to say I have seen few performers that put everything they had into every song. This kid was the real deal and if you listen to a few tracks, you'll find a grass roots talent unsurpassed by the legends.

Move over Jonny Lang, get out of the way Kenny Wayne, go home Jon Bonnamassa, Stevieraywannabes just put your axe away, Sean Costello is the real deal. Raw, stripped down Blues and R&B that will get your fingers snappin and toes tappin. From the title opener to Steve Cropper's "You Can't Win With a Losing Hand" this kid forgoes flash and pompasity to deliver the goods. This kid is so refreshing to hear, and he in genuinely humble to boot. Lets hope he is put forward as the next young savior of the Blues, because he will represent it right.